Lioncourt advanced, and the emperor laid his hand upon his arm.
"You are pale as a ghost, man; but still you're flesh and blood. Give an account of yourself. Speak quickly; don't you see these ladies are dying of curiosity? and, faith, so I am too," he added, smiling.
"Sire," said the colonel, "you will, perhaps, remember ordering my regiment in pursuit of the flying Russians?"
"Perfectly well; and they performed the service gallantly. Their rear was cut to pieces."
"St. Eustache and I rode side by side," pursued the colonel.
"Here is St. Eustache," cried the emperor, beckoning the officer to advance.
"My dear colonel!" cried St. Eustache, embracing his old commander.
"Go on, colonel," cried the emperor, stamping his foot impatiently.
"We hung upon the flying rear of the enemy, sabring every man we overtook. Faith, I hardly know what happened afterwards," said the colonel, pausing.
"Take up the thread of the story, St. Eustache," said the emperor; "don't let it break off here."